WINCHESTER, Va. – Ferrum College took advantage of some shaky Shenandoah University defense before getting a solid game two pitching performance to sweep the host Hornets in a USA South Conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon.

Ferrum (16-8, 5-1 USA South) rallied to win game one, 9-5, in eight innings before winning game two 11-5. FC scored five runs in its final at-bat of that contest to coast to the win over SU (7-13, 1-5).

Defense cost the Hornets in game one – Ferrum rallied for the 9-5 victory with four runs in the eighth inning but seven of those runs (including three of the four in the eighth) were unearned as Shenandoah committed five errors. 

In the eighth, Lauren Rizzo drove home what proved to be the game-winning run when she plated pinch runner Kryestyn Matherly with a single to right field. Matherly, who was running for Kristina Wilhelm, was placed on second base to start the frame as per the international tie-breaking rule and moved to third on a sacrifice.

A Shenandoah fielding error followed before Trica Moore knocked in Rizzo and Kathleen Gulino with a double to center.

The Hornets had their chances to win it in the seventh when they loaded the bases with two out, but Tana Bartek grounded to short to end the inning. SU had tied it one batter earlier when Alicia Sanders hit a slow roller in front of the plate that winning pitcher Kim Cox (9-4) misplayed and allowed Sheryl Wilson to score from third.

Rizzo provided most of the offensive spark with a 3-for-5 performance that included two RBI while Lindsay Etherton and Amber Ware drove in two runs each.

The Hornets, who got one hit each from seven different women, held a 4-3 lead heading into the sixth inning on the strength of four runs on four hits and one FC error in the fourth. Freshmen Kristen Templeton and Catherine Beuerle led off the frame with doubles before classmate Ashley Ballentine gave the Hornets with a two-run double to left that scored Katie Haskins and Bartek. Bartek had walked before moving to second on Haskins' single to right.

Laura Terry allowed just four runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks over six innings of game two to help Ferrum put the finishing touches on the sweep. Terry (6-1) struck out six before giving way Matherly for the seventh.

The Lady Panthers took control of the nightcap with three runs in the sixth and that five-run seventh. Shenandoah had stayed in it by answering the three-run sixth with two in the bottom of the frame, but would get no closer.

Wilson and Jessica Bollinger were both 2 for 4 for SU in the second contest with Wilson driving in two runs and Bollinger one. Bartek (3-5) was the game two loser after Haskins (4-6) was took the hard-luck loss in the opener.

Box Scores/Plays by Play 

Shenandoah is back in action on Monday at Frostburg State in a non-league doubleheader.